IRFU bows out of RWC 2015 race

IRFU chiefs yesterday confirmed the union has withdrawn from the Rugby World Cup 2015 bidding process.

The IRFU had expressed an interest to the IRB in January to make a joint bid with England, Scotland and Wales for the 2015 tournament.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said: “The current economic situation and the financial commitment to host a Rugby World Cup tournament was such that we felt a joint bid with all four unions including Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales would be the only viable format Irish Rugby could be part of.

“We examined in detail the possibility of other bid options alongside the positive spin offs of hosting the tournament, but these did not satisfy all of the essential criteria for Irish rugby to remain involved in the process.”